The use of low-temperature plasma in industry and the social sphere is given serious attention in Russia and abroad. Plasma technologies are environmentally friendly and allow solving the problems of resource saving and energy saving. The article is devoted to the search for directions for using low-temperature plasma and the creation of appropriate technologies and equipment in industry and the social sphere. Based on the analysis of scientific, technical and patent information, the opinion was expressed that the potential of low-temperature plasmas in forestry and in the timber industry is underestimated